{{Short description|Former private girls school in Washington, D.C.}} {{About| the girl's finishing school| other uses |Gunston Hall (disambiguation)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox school | name = Gunston Hall School | image = Postcard of Gunston Hall School, Washington, D.C., 1913.jpg | alt = | type = Private | established = 1892 | closed = 1942 | principal = Richard Nelson Mason | principal1 = | principal2 = | founder = Beverley Randolph Mason and Elizabeth Nelson Mason | caption = Postcard of Gunston Hall School, 1913 | location = 1904 Florida Avenue N.W. | city = Washington, D.C. | country = United States | other_name = Gunston Hall School for Girls }} '''Gunston Hall School''' was an American private women's finishing school located in Washington, D.C. It was established by Beverley Randolph Mason and his wife in 1892. The school closed in 1942 due to World War II.
== History == Beverley Randolph Mason and his wife, Elizabeth Harrison Nelson, started '''Gunston Hall School for Girls''' in 1892.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=1962-08-01 |title=Mrs. G. Gilmer Easley; Gunnston Hall School Owner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-star/143988256/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |work=Evening Star |location=Washington, D.C. |pages=28 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite book |last=McDevitt |first=Cleland C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kLpPAQAAMAAJ&dq=%22Gunston+Hall+School%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA406 |title=The Book of Washington |publisher=Washington Board of Trade |year=1927 |location=Washington, D.C. |pages=307 and 406 |access-date=March 24, 2024 |via=Google Books}}</ref> They founded the school because they were not satisfied with the educational opportunities for girls in Washington D.C. at the time.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=1942-05-31 |title=50th {{as written|Anniversa|y [sic]|note=article itself is correct}} Celebrated by Gunston Hall School |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-star-50th-anniversay-celebrated/143991494/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |work=Evening Star |location=Washington, D.C. |pages=26 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> It was named for Gunston Hall, the historic house of George Mason, Beverly Mason's great-grandfather.<ref name=":7">Peter, Grace Dunlop. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20110606050849/http://www.accessgenealogy.com/book/index.cgi?folder=georgetown-portrait&next=13 Third Street Beall (O) Street, West (P) Street in Georgetown]". ''A Portrait of Old George Town''. Richmond, Dietz Press, 1951. via Access Genealogy, accessed March 23, 2024.</ref><ref name="Evening Star">{{Cite news |date=1910-04-23 |title=Death of B. R. Mason Principal of Gunston Hall School for Girls |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-star-death-of-b-r-mason-princi/144002396/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |work=Evening Star |location=Washington, D.C. |pages=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
The purpose of Gunston Hall School was to "train students to be intellectually mature, physically fit, socially well adjusted and to give them a basic faith in God that will steady and support them all their lives".<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Williams |first=Paul Kelsey |title=Scenes From the Past |url=http://washingtonhistory.com/ScenesPast/images/SP_1203.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061127061828/http://washingtonhistory.com/ScenesPast/images/SP_1203.pdf |archive-date=November 27, 2006 |access-date=March 23, 2024 |work=The In Towner |pages=12–13}}</ref> The school's first students were Mason's children and children from their neighborhood.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":11" /> The Masons were jointly the school's principals.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=1905-09-09 |title=Gunston Hall |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-washington-post-gunston-hall/143992308/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |newspaper=The Washington Post |pages=44 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Mason previously taught at the United States Military Academy in West Point and was a mathematics teacher and Latin teacher at the Norwood Institute.<ref name=":6" />
Originally, Gunston Hall School was operated from the Mason home at 3017 O Street in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> In 1900, the school moved to Thomas Circle, before moving to 1904 Florida Avenue N.W. in 1906 where it remained until it closed.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=1961-04-04 |title=Hopes Old School Will Be Revivied |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-star-hopes-old-school-will-be-re/143989699/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |work=Evening star |location=Washington, D.C. |pages=23 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" /> The latter location had more classroom space and accommodations for boarding students.<ref name=":6" /> By 1905, Gunston Hall School had eight resident teachers and twelve visiting teachers.<ref name=":6" /> Day students were transported by private conveyance provided by the school.<ref name=":4" />
For the 1911–1912 academic year, the school had fifty students and 27 teachers.<ref name=":6" /> Its younger students wore sailor blouses with wool jumpers, black stockings, and black buttoned shoes; the older students wore shirtwaists and silk petticoats.<ref name=":6" /> Tuition and board were $750 to $800 for the year, depending on the room.<ref name=":6" /> Students had to provide two sets of sheets and twelve dinner napkins for their use.<ref name=":6" /> Added fees included $2 to use the tennis courts and $25 to use the piano for daily practice.<ref name=":6" />
Beverly Mason died in April 1910.<ref name="Evening Star"/> Josephine Mason, daughter of the school's founders, taught at Gunston Hall School after graduating from college and before her marriage in 1916.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":11" /> Her brother, Richard Nelson Mason, also taught at the school, served as its business manager, and later became its principal until he died in 1940.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |date=1940-11-25 |title=Funeral Held For Richard N. Mason |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-free-lance-star-funeral-held-for-ric/144003672/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |work=The Free Lance-Star |location=Fredericksburg, Virginia |pages=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":11" /> By 1927, Gunston Hall School was the second oldest private school in Washington, D.C.<ref name=":11" /> Its principal was Mary L. Gildersleeve.<ref name=":11" /> The school started a new pre-academic program in 1927, providing day school classes for grades kindergarten through eight.<ref name=":11" />
In the 1930s, Gunston Hall ranked "among the highest 'culture school' for girls in the United States".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Caemmerer |first=Hans Paul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KOFFH6YxwYQC&q=%22gunston+hall%22 |title=Washington, The National Capital |date=1932 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |series=Senate Document No. 332, The Congress 3d Session |location=Washington, D.C. |page=544 |language=en |via=Google Books}}</ref> In June 1942, the school's commencement speaker was Harry S. Truman, whose daughter Margaret was graduating.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news |date=1942-06-03 |title=Gunston Hall Graduates Hear Senator Truman |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-star-gunston-hall-graduates-hear/143990811/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |work=Evening Star |location=Washington, D.C. |pages=30 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The then senator's speech was part of the school's 50th anniversary celebration.<ref name=":3" /> However, Gunston Hall School closed in 1942 because of a shortage of teachers, resulting from World War II.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
After the school closed, the recently widowed Josephine Mason Easley moved there; it remained her home until she died in 1962.<ref name=":1" />
=== Reestablishment === Easley and her three sisters kept the school's state charter for twenty years.<ref name=":6" /> In 1961, the Pohick Church in Lorton, Virginia began efforts to reform Gunston Hall School on its property in Gunston Neck, Virginia.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> Before she died, Easley was involved in the effort and transferred the school's charter to Pohick Church.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Fill |first=Jerry |date=October 31, 2018 |title=Foundation's Historic Roots |url=http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2016/oct/31/foundations-historic-roots/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=The Connection}}</ref>
The reestablished Gunston Hall School opened in Virginia in 1962 and taught grades kindergarten through fifth grade.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":6" /> Architect Milton L. Grigg was hired to design a new building for the school.<ref name=":2" /> However, the school closed in 1966 after the Pohick Church members showed no interest in the project.<ref name=":8" />
The school's charter was transferred to a private school in Springfield, Virginia that St. Christopher's Episcopal Church operated.<ref name=":8" /> In Springfield, the school was coeducational and taught kindergarten through sixth grade.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ts6uTEHc3JkC&dq=%22Gunston+Hall+School%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA64 |title=The Federal Manager's Guide to Washington |date=1980 |publisher=U.S. Office of Personnel Management |publication-place=Washington, D.C. |page=64 |language=en |via=Google Books}}</ref> The Springfield school closed in 1978 after losing its lease.<ref name=":8" />
In 1979, Gunston Hall School became a foundation and educational endowment fund, started by Helen and John Wharton Hazard to help needy students with learning disabilities.<ref name=":8" /> The Hazards had been involved with reforming Gunston Hall School in Lorton; John was the school's president, and Helen was its principal.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 12, 2001 |title=Editor, Columnist John W. Hazard Sr., 89 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2001/11/13/editor-columnist-john-w-hazard-sr-89/96a165da-89ac-48a8-aacb-945d4e7d1325/ |access-date=March 24, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2, 2007 |title=Helen Hazard Obituary |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/tcpalm/name/helen-hazard-obituary?id=50205606 |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Legacy.com}}</ref>
== Campus == thumb|Three building of Gunston Hall School, 1927 thumb|Gunston Hall School, T Street Building, 1933 Originally, the Gunston Hall School was located in a private home at 3017 O Street in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> This large mansion was built in the early 19th century as the home of Commodore Stephen Cassin.<ref name=":7" /> The school faced Temple Heights, an 18-acre residential estate.<ref name=":6" />
From 1900 to 1906, the school was located on Thomas Circle at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and 14th Street.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":6" /> It included two adjacent houses and a corner apartment building.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":6" />
In 1906, the school moved to 1904 Florida Avenue N.W. where it remained until it closed.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /> The Florida Avenue campus included a new central building in Colonial revival style, providing more classrooms, a gymnasium, and dormitories for boarding students.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":11" /> The school acquired the building next door at 1904 T Street in 1926; this structure was designed by architect Waddy Butler Wood of Wood, Donn, and Deming in 1907.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":11" /> A third building adjacent building was added in 1927, expanding the campus to more than a city block.<ref name=":11" /> The campus included a large yard, with tennis courts.<ref name=":6" /> It also had a rooftop garden.<ref name=":11" />
== Academics == Guston Hall was a finishing school.<ref>McBride, Sarah Davis. “[http://www.jstor.org/stable/40065259. Ornaments of Education: The Material World of National Park Seminary].” ''Washington History'' 4, no. 1 (1992): 48. {{JSTOR|40065259}}</ref> In 1906, the school had primary and preparatory departments.<ref name=":4" /> In addition to standard classes, courses were taught in French, German, Latin, and Spanish.<ref name=":6" /> Music lessons include piano, mandolin, violin, and voice.<ref name=":6" /> Students also took classes in physical culture, including basketball, fencing, and tennis.<ref name=":6" />
In 1927, Gunston Hall started day school for grades kindergarten through eight.<ref name=":11" /> These students had daily French classes and were taught art, music, and rhythmic dancing.<ref name=":11" /> Its boarding school included academic, college preparatory, and collegiate departments.<ref name=":11" /> Courses included art, athletics, domestic science, music, and secretarial.<ref name=":11" />
With the start of World War II, the school streamlined its curriculum.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=1942-09-13 |title=Gunston Hall to Teach Interior Decorating |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-star-gunston-hall-to-teach-inter/143990333/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |work=Evening Star |location=Washington, D.C. |pages=78 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Students were encouraged to take typing, shorthand, and home economics.<ref name=":5" /> However, art, cooking, literature, and music were still taught. In addition, the school added training in interior design in September 1942.<ref name=":5" />thumb|Gunston Hall students awaiting the Prince of Wales departure from the French Embassy, Washington, D.C., 1919
== Student life == Gunston Hall School had chapters of the sororities Kappa Delta from 1903 to 1912, Sigma Iota Chi from 1908 to 1911, and Alpha Kappa Psi from 1911 to 1912.<ref name=":0">{{cite Almanac FS|section=closed-institutions|organization=Gunston Hall School|date=August 5, 2023|access-date=December 21, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Bairds11|url-page=299|section=Kappa Delta and Alpha Kappa Psi|pages=277 and 533}}</ref>{{Efn|As the sororities became members of the National Panhellenic Conference, they had to drop chapters not established at colleges. Because Gunston Hall School did not provide a college degree, it lost all three sororities.}} It also had a Fencing Club.<ref name=":6" /> The school held an annual carnival, featuring students in theatrical performances and costumed dances.<ref name=":6" /> Student went on field trips, including attending the Army-Navy football game in 1910 and a tour of the Post Office's dead letter mail facility.<ref name=":6" />
== Notable people ==
=== Alumnae ===
* Lillian Somoza de Sevilla Sacasa, daughter of Nicaragua, president Anastasio Somoza García<ref>{{Cite news |last=Diuguid |first=Lewis H. |date=2023-12-21 |title=Two Decades As the Dean |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1978/11/24/two-decades-as-the-dean/29d412a8-a41b-40eb-8737-9b1eacaf9a07/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> * Martha Anne Woodrum Zillhardt, aviator<ref>{{Cite web |title=Martha Zillhardt Obituary (2002) – Binghamton, NY – Press & Sun-Bulletin |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pressconnects/name/martha-zillhardt-obituary?id=50271572 |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Legacy.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Scachetti |first=Leanna |date=2022-03-04 |title=Women's History Month: Remembering Roanoke's pioneering aviator |url=https://www.wdbj7.com/2022/03/04/womens-history-month-remembering-roanokes-pioneering-aviator/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=WDBJ 7 |language=en}}</ref> * Margaret Truman, classical soprano, actress, journalist, radio and television personality, writer, and daughter of President Harry S. Truman<ref name=":10" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=1951-02-26 |title=People: The Real Romance |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,814470,00.html |access-date=2024-03-24 |magazine=Time |language=en-US |issn=0040-781X}}</ref>
=== Faculty ===
* Beverley Randolph Mason, founder and principal<ref name=":4" /> * Richard Nelson Mason, teacher and principal<ref name=":9" /> * Bertha E. Perrie, artist and art instructor<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bertha Eversfield Perrie (1868–1921) – Biografia |url=https://it.artprice.com/artista/61219/bertha-eversfield-perrie/biografia?section=personaldata |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Artprice.com |language=it-IT}}</ref>
== Notes == {{notelist}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:1892 establishments in Washington, D.C. Category:Private schools in Washington, D.C. Category:Defunct schools in Washington, D.C. Category:Educational institutions established in 1892 Category:1940 disestablishments in Washington, D.C. Category:Women's universities and colleges in the United States Category:Educational institutions disestablished in 1940 Category:Women's education in the United States Category:History of women in Washington, D.C.